COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

 

DATE:

February 8, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 26, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley

SUBJECT:

Acceptance of Donations for Search & Rescue Vehicles & Equipment

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to accept a donation from an anonymous donor of a new Sheriff's Farallon 3200 Marine Patrol & Rescue Boat; a new SEA SCAN trailing sonar system; two pair of ITT Night Enforcer night vision binoculars; and a new fully-equipped John Deer "GATOR" 6x4 All-Terrain Vehicle, with trailer, with a total value including tax, fees and delivery of approximately $302,500.

 

Background

The Sheriff's Office currently operates the Marine Diver/Rescue program which employs three boats. Two are inflatable craft, but the primary command & control boat is a 27-foot Crystal Liner which was obtained from the federal DEA through a drug smuggling seizure. Due to poor maintenance by the previous criminal owners and the fact that the boat sat in dry dock for several years during court proceedings, before finally being released to the Sheriff's Office, we have routinely experienced maintenance and engine problems with the Crystal Liner. Much of the time-consuming maintenance and repair work has been performed by volunteers, who have contributed literally hundreds of hours of time in this effort.

 

Since the events of last September, the FBI and federal Office of Homeland Security have requested that San Mateo County increase marine patrol activities in support of Coast Guard and Air National Guard marine patrols and commercial sea vessel search activities. We are complying and coordinating our efforts with these agencies. However, we need a more reliable vessel for these activities, especially for any activities on the Pacific Ocean side of our County coastline.

 

Additionally, in land-based search & rescue operations in the coastside/skyline mountainous areas, the department has been hampered by rugged terrain, dense brush, and steep trails and fire roads. Since the winter storms and floods of 2000, we have been gradually converting our coastside patrol vehicles from standard patrol cars to four-wheel drive Ford Explorers, but even these standard 4x4 vehicles cannot navigate many of the steep mountain-area trails and fire roads safely. We can navigate these travelways with our small fleet of four off-road motorcycles, but these can only carry one officer and minimal gear. We need the capability to rapidly transport searchers, medical personnel, gurneys, climbing/rappelling and medical gear, radios, and other search and rescue equipment closer to the area of a remote search operation.

 

Recently, due to the proactive efforts of the Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Water Department has begun the process of opening up portions of their skyline watershed to hikers and trail riders. These wilderness areas currently have minimal trails and accessways. In meetings with Water Department officials, they have repeatedly expressed their desire to see additional patrol and search & rescue capability provided by the Sheriff's Office, commensurate with increased public usage of these wilderness areas.

 

Discussion

A member of the community, who wishes to remain anonymous, has indicated a desire, and commenced initial steps with manufacturers, to purchase several new pieces of equipment/vehicles for the Sheriff's Office. A new 32-foot Farallon 3200 cruiser is being custom-made for the Sheriff's Office by Farallon Boats, a highly respected marine boat manufacturer. The boat will include a towing trailer, marine radio system, and other on-board electronic equipment, and has a value of about $244,000. Additionally, the donor will purchase a SEA SCAN side-trailing sonar system which can be mounted on the Farallon. This modern technology, which was originally developed by the Navy, allows lowering of a sophisticated sonar array to trail below the boat and detect submerged objects, which can then be investigated by divers. The sonar system has a value of approximately $40,000. The new boat and sonar equipment will greatly enhance the Sheriffs Office Marine Unit's capability to support search and rescue, investigation, patrol and security operations. Upon taking possession of the new boat, we will ask the County to auction the old Crystal Liner as surplus property.

 

Additionally, one John Deere "GATOR" 6x4 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) will be acquired to support remote off-road trail search and rescue activities. It will include a towing trailer, safety roll bar, rain canopy, and other utility accessories. A two pair of Night Enforcer 220 night vision binoculars will be acquired which will allow enhanced nighttime search capability when time is critical. The Sheriff's Office understands and supports the County's role in environmental stewardship. The ATV unit will utilize existing trails and fire roads for off-road travel to the greatest extent possible, traveling off existing trails only when necessary, such as to transport an injured person or to carry heavy or bulky equipment to a completely remote site not accessible by trail. The value of the ATV and binoculars is approximately $18,500. This report and Resolution have been reviewed and approved as to form by County Counsel.

 

Vision Alignment

The recommended Board action contributes to various County Visioning Commitments, including the maintenance of safe and healthy communities.

 

Fiscal Impact

The new donated boat replaces an existing vessel which has been operated by the department for several years. The cost of fuel, boat insurance, and routine engine & equipment maintenance is an already budgeted expense (about $20,000/year), and the labor for routine marine maintenance tasks associated with the boat (scrapping barnacles, repainting the hull and varnishing deckwork, etc.) has traditionally been performed by volunteers in the Sheriff's marine rescue and cliff diver units. There will be a moderate additional annual expense for contract maintenance of the sonar system, but this should be offset by reduced "breakdown repair" costs experienced with the old boat. The ATV and both the boat and ATV towing trailers will be added to the Sheriff's motor vehicle fleet, which is administered and maintained by Public Works. There will be a moderate additional annual maintenance cost through motor pool service charges - this will be included within the Sheriffs annual operating budget within the established budget target. There should be no additional impact on the County General Fund as a result of accepting this generous donation.